Opéra Bastille in Paris, France by Henning Larsen Architects

Article source: Henning Larsen Architects 

Danish architects Henning Larsen, along with collaborators Reichen & Robert, dUCKS, PEUTZ & CET, have been selected for the expansion and transformation of the French Opéra Bastille, the largest opera house in Paris.

The win follows a one-year competition arranged by the Opéra Bastille, which sought to complete the original vision for the 1989 building, now the main facility of the Paris Na-tional Opera. Henning Larsen’s proposal brings a redesigned and extended public foyer open to street-level activity, expands infrastructure and workshop facilities, and adds an 800-seat modular space for use in rehearsals and performances.

Image Courtesy © Henning Larsen Architects

• Architects: Henning Larsen Architects
• Project: Opéra Bastille
• Location: Paris, France

Image Courtesy © Henning Larsen Architects

For Søren Øllgaard, Partner and Design Director at Henning Larsen, the expanded Opéra Bastille will be a conduit of urban life in one of Paris’ most populous districts.

“Our goal is to fulfil the original vision and potential for the Opéra Bastille in a way that honors and accents the existing architecture. We want to open the opera up to its sur-roundings in this busy area of Paris, and to make it a local hotspot of urban social life. For us, this is an opportunity to bring new life to a city landmark in a way that blends our own architectural identity with Carlos Ott’s legacy,” said Øllgaard.

Uruguayan architect Carlos Ott designed the Opéra Bastille in 1983, part of France’s Grands Projets initiative to construct new cultural monuments in Paris. Located between the historic Place de la Bastille square and the Viaduc des Arts gardens, the opera is a land-mark in Paris’ bustling 12th arrondissement. Henning Larsen’s expansion draws energy from this local context, seeking to put the opera in closer dialogue with its surroundings.

Image Courtesy © Henning Larsen Architects

The redesign establishes a dual-level ‘indoor street’ in the foyer, providing a more inclu-sive commons for civic life. Behind the scenes, an extensive transformation of workshop and construction facilities aims to boost productivity and quality of life for the Opéra Bas-tille’s set and costume crews. Along the Viaduc des Arts, the Opéra Bastille explores the threshold between the natural and urban environments. Following the original vision of Carlos Ott, the extension will create a smooth architectural transition toward the gardens, allowing the Viaduc des Arts’ greenery to flow into the built environment.

Image Courtesy © Henning Larsen Architects

Henning Larsen’s vision incorporates a Scandinavian emphasis on sustainable materials and democratic design into the architectural fabric of Ott’s original blueprints. Franck Fdida, a Paris native, will head the Henning Larsen project team in close collaboration with Reichen & Robert architects, dUCKS scenographic lighting specialists, PEUTZ acoustic con-sultants, and CET Engineering.

Construction on the Opéra Bastille expansion and transformation will begin in 2019, with a final project completion scheduled for 2023.

Image Courtesy © Henning Larsen Architects

Tags: France, Paris

Category: Opera House

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